Retail giants and trade group team up to prevent data breaches

Target, a partner in the new program, has said that a data breach over the holiday season exposed 40 million payment card numbers as well as personal data of as many as 70 million customers.

Target, a partner in the new program, has said that a data breach over the holiday season exposed 40 million payment card numbers as well as personal data of as many as 70 million customers. (Patrick T. Fallon, Bloomberg)

The new center will enable retailers to communicate among themselves about cybercrime

Retail heavyweights such as J.C. Penney Co., Gap Inc., Nike Inc. and Walgreen Co. are joining forces with the Retail Industry Leaders Assn. to try to protect the industry from hackers and other cybercriminals.

"We have seen a sharp increase in the number of malicious actors attempting to access personal information or compromise the systems we all rely on, in the retail industry and elsewhere," said Phyllis Schneck, deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the Homeland Security Department.

The center also will offer training and education and research resources to retailers.

In a rare demand that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles buy back as many as 193,000 flawed vehicles, the top U.S. traffic safety agency signaled a tougher stance on automakers that don't identify and quickly repair defects.